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Sources: Aston Villa and Tottenham turn attention to Jean-Philippe Mateta
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- Sources: Aston Villa and Tottenham turn attention to Jean-Philippe Mateta
Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are both likely to make moves for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in January, sources have told Football Insider.
Any move for the Frenchman is now viewed as "unlikely" ahead of Tuesday's 11pm deadline, due to a recent hamstring injury that he sustained in training for the Eagles.
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However, it is expected to be a different story in January, as both Villa and Spurs have kept the 28-year-old on their long-term lists of striker targets.
Sources say that both sides will turn to Mateta if they need a new frontman this winter, especially since he will be available for a cut-price fee.
It is expected to be an "open race" for the star in January, with Palace aware that it will be their final chance to cash in on him ahead of his contract expiring next summer.
Mateta would also have the option of signing a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club, or waiting to assess his options as a free agent next summer.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta holds the cards at Crystal Palace
Mateta has been heavily linked with a move away from Palace in every recent transfer window, but this looks set to be another instance where a transfer passes him by.
However, with the end of his contract in South London now looming large, the frontman holds all the cards in terms of his future.
Several teams are expected to make attempts to sign him in January, when Palace are likely to consider a cheaper deal than what they have been holding out for in recent years.
He also has the option of agreeing a move away from the Premier League to take place upon the expiry of his contract, which Palace would have no way of blocking.
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Villa and Spurs will both look to take advantage of that situation, knowing that Palace will be hard-pressed to reject any money that they can get for the player.
Sources: Bradley Burrowes undergoing medical after Aston Villa accept offer Bradley Burrowes undergoing medical for Aston Villa exit
Football Insiderrevealed on Tuesday that Villa starlet Bradley Burrowes is set to join League One side Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan.
The 18-year-old forward is undergoing a medical with the third tier side on Tuesday, with his switch to join Leam Richardson's side set to be completed ahead of the deadline.
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Burrowes is regarded as one of Villa's brightest young talents, and featured heavily as part of their senior squad during their pre-season campaign.
The starlet is tipped to have a huge future ahead of him, and it is Wigan who will now be responsible for the next stage of his development.
